Automatic slot-closing device



Dec. 12, 1933- w. T. SULLIVAN AUTOMATIC SLOT CLOSING DEVICE Filed March 20, 1931 2 5 5 t 1 2 Filed March 20, 19 2 Sheets Sheet INVENTOR.

BY WV gQ/A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 12, 1933 our 1 PiaTENT oFFrce-j This invention relates to an automatic" slot-- rasing device," in a mechanism for withdrawing m i'st'uieby suction.

ife g the slot in'an"extractor,"regardless or the width: orrr'iovenient of the fabric from side to side near trie'endsor the extractor. To provideaslot- 'f closing device which will operate on any width of 'lo'goodsiwithin reasonable limits without any ad- J'ustnient'of the device. To provide a device which will maintaina practically closed 'slot on either ijside "of"fabridaridfmaintain this condition and reap-a constanfsuctionbn the portion j of the slot covered by thefabric and consequently "reliev "moisture from the fabric in'a'uniform rri'anfirthrougihout theen'tire width of the fabric. There "ar severaFslot-closing devices on the frnarketat the present time purporting to do the '20 fgarrie' were as my kievi'zie, but most or these have the distinct disadvantage of operating with some part of" the device touching or being in contact "'w hgthe face'or'back of goods in' process. This conditionis"not"always"dsirable'as the same has a tendency to mark the fabric as well as creating "in effectf'a closed'slot over the fabric and thus g'ieatlyiiiriiting theeflfctiVness' of the vacuum.

' To provide a device whi ch 'will'effectively close the slot without any'part of said device coming in contact with the fabric except the outer edge of th sel've dge of the fabric. To provide a device of the above description which may be operated in animated position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

" my invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in V the accompanying drawings, and more particular- 1 1y pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the device shown in Figure 2, while Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmetary sectional view of the extractor, showing the spring groove therein.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the extractor showing a flat surface engaged by the spring or springs.

"objects of invention are thewing; To provide means for automatically Figure '7 is' a fragmentary-perspective view of another optionalernbodi'ment of the'spri'ng.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 de'sighates the extractor, which is any suitable casing or cylinder or box, having a longitudinally extending slot 2 preferably in its upper'portion' over which fabric 3-passes. V

In carrying out my invention, I employ two automatic slot-closing devices, one contiguous to each end of the extractor. Each slot-closings device is similaran'd itwillonly be necessary to describe one. The slot-closing device comprises a clamp device 3; this clamp" device iricludesan upper se'ction l anda lower section 5" detachably secured by'bolts' 6 together. 7 "The upper section iq employ a front guide flange 8 that is secured 'to an upstanding ear9. 'A guide plate 10-is secured againstthe inner'face of guidefla'rigeS and'ear 9. Screws ll extend through elongated'slots 1257 of the front finger '7. These screws'are' threaded into the ear 9, whereby the guide plate is ver- "ti'ca lly: adjustable upon the clamping device, which is also true of the guide fla'nge' ii. 'A'rear guide flange i3 is attached to the rearear 14-i and byscrews '11- (Figs. 2and4)' the guide plate 15 is' adjustably secured upon the 'rearfin'ger 7. The adjustabilityofthe g'uide 'fla-nges8 and 13 is desirable to' accommodate different thicknesses or thefabric' or material passing over the ex-1 tractor 1.

sucked to the fiat surface 1'7 of the extractor 1:

(Fig. 6) and to be held there by its force. When the band spring 16 has covered the slot 2 as far as the edge of the fabric 3, the remainder of the band spring will retain a coiled position near and adjacent to the, edge of the fabric, as there is not 1 0 sufficient suction from this point towards the opposite end to draw down the band spring. This band spring will automatically follow the edge of the selvage, however, the fabric may shift from side to side along the slot 2. It should be noted that this band spring 16 is of comparatively light construction and has only a slight tendency to coil when in a free position. The outer end of this spring 16 is rounded off at the corner 18 to allow the spring to easily retain its proper posil10 tion between the guide plates 10 and 15, in case the end of the spring should be in operation beyond the end of said guide plates; it also prevents the possibility of the ends of band spring 16 from becoming caught on the top of the guide plates.

In Figure 5, I have shown an embodiment in which a spring receiving groove 19 is shown; spring 16 may be seated snug down into this groove 19.

Spring 16 is held tightly clamped between the clamp device 3 and the extractor 1, as clearly shown in Figure 2, with its outer coiled end free to move over slot 2 preferably between the guide plates 10 and 15.

It is to be understood that the guide flanges are adjustable so that they may be set in relation to the top surface of the extractor slot to accommodate various thicknesses of fabric. The front edge and end of each of the guide flanges are well rounded in a manner which will allow the fabric to enter easily from the front or end and also serve the purpose of laying down any seam or obstruction ,in the fabric which may otherwise become. caught on the band spring as the fabric passes-that point. 1

In Figure 7, I have shown another embodiment of the band spring 16 in which the front edge 20 is slightly upwardly curved, so as to allow very free passage of the fabric 3 thereunder. In Figure 1, I have preferably shown the guide .plates of the same height as the upstanding fingers '7. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, the guide plates 10 and 15 are considerably higher than fingers 7, whereas the guide flanges 8 are considerably taller or wider at their inner ends.

It will be readily understood that I have provided an efiicient closure for the uncovered portion of slot 2, which closure works between guiding units, and is entirely actuated by the suction through said slot. The guiding unit is adjustably mounted on the extractor to accommodate different size material that is being dried or processed.

In using the word fabric in the foregoing description, I do not mean to confine myself to a strict definition in regard to this term. I have merely used the word in an arbitrary sense and mean for it to include any porous material, which might hold moisture or other free content, which might be removed by the process of vacuum extraction. Further, in using the word moisture,

I do not mean to confine myself to a strict definition in regard to this Word; I have merely used it as an arbitrary word and mean for it to include any free contents, which in process it might be desired to remove by vacuum extraction.

In using the word slot, I do not mean to confine myself to a strict definition in regard to this word; I have merely used it as an arbitrary word and mean that it shall include any means used in an extractor as vent holes", for instance, which might be used instead of a slot.

While I have described the preferred embodiments of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates, during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of. the class described, the combination of an extractor having a slot, and a coiled spring carried by said extractor contiguous to said slot whereby suction through the slot will draw the spring longitudinally over the same.

2. In a device of the class described, the coinbination, with an extractor having a slot, of a clamp device on said extractor and provided with a pair of upstanding fingers, guide flanges and plates fastened to said upstanding fingers, and a coiled spring fastened between said extractor and clamp device and having a portion freely movable over said slot and between said guide flanges and plates.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with an extractor having a slot, of a clamp device on said extractor, said clamp device provided with a pair of parallel upstanding fingers, guiding units adjustably mounted on said fingers, each guiding unit comprising a horizontal guide flange and an upstanding ear and a plate against said flange and ear, and a slot-closing unit between said guiding units and over said slot.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of an extractor provided with a slot, a clamp device on said extractor, guiding means carried by said clamp device, and a coiled spring provided with an outer bevelled end Working between said guiding means and longitudinally over said slot.

' WOODRUFF T. SULLIVAN. 

